Mosquito-borne Zika virus reported in South Australia

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A 25-year-old man has tested positive to Zika virus in South Australia, according to SA Health.

Chief medical officer Professor Paddy Phillips said the man acquired the virus overseas and there was no risk to the public in SA.

This is because the mosquito that spreads the Zika virus is not present in SA.

Professor Phillips said the man had recovered from the virus.

SA Health said it was the 14th case confirmed in Australia this year and the third in SA.

Previous SA cases were reported in 2012 and 2015.

Professor Phillips reminded South Australians to wear trousers and long-sleeved, loose-fitting shirts when travelling overseas to countries where mosquitoes were an issue.

“Countries within the Caribbean, Central Americana, Mexico, the Pacific Islands and South America are known to have Zika virus transmission,” he said.

He also advised travellers to use an insect repellent containing DEET (diethyltoluamide) or picaridin.

SA Health said symptoms of Zika included fever, joint or muscle pain, headaches, skin rash or conjunctivitis.

Symptoms could take between three to 12 days to appear.